Conductor Julian Smith has died at the age of 78.

Long associated with the Cardiff Sing of the World Competition, the organization released a statement noting, “we are very much saddened to report the death of Julian Smith, who for many years selected the singers who would take part in our competition, and acted as Music Adviser. His wisdom, support and friendliness was invaluable to those young singers who travelled from all over the globe to Cardiff. We send our condolences to his family and friends. He’ll be much missed.”

Smith became associated with the competition when it started in 1983 and was one of the official accompanists for the first three competitions. In 1988 he became Music Adviser and in 1993 he became responsible for selecting the competitors. He auditioned in more than fifty different cities, hearing in excess of five thousand singers.

Outside of his work for Cardiff, Smith was head of music at Welsh National Opera for 21 years, during which time he conducted nearly 40 operas for the company. He specialized in Puccini, Verdi, and the bel canto repertoire. He also conducted the music of Handel and Britten.

He also went on to conduct at the Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Touring Opera, San Francisco Opera, Opera Australia, Vancouver Opera, Icelandic Opera, Oper Zuid, and New Zealand Opera. He also conducted the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Sinfonietta, English Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.